Most considered him stuffy, and he kept to himself.
The man of few words never rushed anything. Woman around the college agreed he was handsome enough but had pronounced him a secret momma’s boy or a closeted gay man. He never went after women or men that she’d heard of, and the literary romantic in her always wanted to know his story.
Scott cleared his throat. “I’m interested in a lot of things; not just history.”
“Such as?” she asked. He could be here over a million little things that were official and proper, but why not chat with him a little?
“Blogs, for example.” His expression changed, and his eyes locked on hers.
A chill hit her skin, and she shivered. The way he stared at her made her squirm in her chair. She’d never seen any signs from him that he was the BDSM type, but her mind never lingered on that private topic on campus. Her pussy tightened, but she grabbed her sweater off the back of her chair and tugged it on, hugging it to her body. The man turned her on, no debate about that.
He let the silence hang, and she believed he’d wait her out indefinitely. “Blogs? Really? I know you do plenty of online classes, and I’m sure those are a useful part of the information.”
“This blog isn’t related to teaching at all. I believe you’re familiar with it. Something called Masters Wanted?” The corners of his mouth turned up just a touch.
She’d rarely seen him smile, but she wanted to. Did he know it was her? He couldn’t possibly. Grabbing her hair accessory off the collar of the worn wool sweater, she clipped her hair back and tried to ignore her pounding heartbeat. “I’ve not read it.”
“You wrote it,” he replied.
Instantly, it felt as if someone had set fire to her face. Her cheeks burned, and her eyes misted up in embarrassment. She grabbed her reusable water bottle and took a long drink. “I think your expertise is the history of Europe, military especially. Computer hacking isn’t—damn. Nelson?”
Scott nodded. “Nelson. He’s a good hacker, a good friend and a good Dom.”
Blinking, she pushed away the embarrassment and fear. If he could be so relaxed about it, she’d do the same. “Is he your Dom?”
Scott smiled a real smile, and it melted her fear away. Still, she waited on the edge of her office chair for an answer.
“No, he’s not my Dom. He knows I share his preference and like submissive women. We both belong to the group where you posted the link. I had no idea.” Scott looked at her.
A Dom? Suddenly, she didn’t want to meet his gaze, but he wasn’t her Master. He could be feeling her out for Nelson. Scott’s friend was nice and brilliant, but he didn’t make her want to be bad. “I should go over there, and give Nelson a piece of my mind. He had no right hacking my post.”
“You know nothing is secret out there. I lurk, but I know better. Nelson won’t betray you to anyone,” he said.
She pointed a finger at Scott. “He told you! You read it? It’ll be all over campus in a day.”
“No, it won’t. Nelson was surprised and sympathetic. You deserve better. But it was a rather risky rant, given the traceability of technology.”
“I know. One bad date too many. I’ve tried for too long. I simply can’t trust someone who won’t respect my boundaries, and yet I can’t deny my nature in the bedroom.”
“You’re direct and outgoing. Many Doms like a challenge,” Scott said.
“I like a challenge, as well, in that area. That doesn’t mean a Dom should push someone to break their limits. All kink, no conversation.”
“The real challenge is to respect the limits and keep things interesting. Creativity is underrated,” he said.
She studied him silently for a moment. “I never thought of you or Nelson as creative types.”
“Not here. I know that Nelson was out of line hacking your IP address. But your blog was passionate. He wanted to find out where you were. You mentioned New England, and he’s gotten around a bit.”
“I’m sure.” She rubbed her forehead. “I appreciate the thoughts behind it, but Nelson just doesn’t do anything for me. I’m sure he’s very good and experienced, but there has to be a certain type of chemistry. I’m sure you understand; you wouldn’t take just any submissive. He’s more like a brother I go to when my computer crashes.”
“I completely agree. That’s why he brought the blog to me. It wasn’t to tease you or reveal your information. He doesn’t need the dean knowing he likes tying women up any more than I do.”
“Good. We’ll all keep each other’s secrets. And I’ll know there are two nice Doms around. I guess you’re telling me not to give up hope?” Her body hummed with the knowledge that he might want her, but her brain rejected the idea. Just yesterday, she’d given up.